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Manchester City Loanee Update: Lukas Nmecha (Preston North End) – Report

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A product of the Manchester City youth academy, Lukas Nmecha joined Preston North End on a season-long loan deal on the final day of the 2018/19 transfer window. But, how has the 19-year-old forward adapted to life in the Championship?

PNE stats

Appearances – 8

Minutes played – 527

Games started – 6

Substituted – 4

Goals – 0

Deepdale faithful – PNE online.

Comments made by some of the Preston North End fans have been mixed.

“He started vs. Morecambe, Leeds (cup), Bolton, Middlesbrough, and West Brom and did pretty well in all of them except for WBA but I think that was more down to where he was asked to play,” said one.

“He certainly made a difference at Swansea and Sheff Utd when he came on but made no impact at Derby, Norwich or Leeds (league) albeit no one really did.”

“It’s clear for all to see, and has been from the start, that Nmecha has bags of talent and is a tremendous athlete. As I’ve said before, it’s a huge and difficult step up, so well done to the lad for his last two games, where, in my opinion, he has shown on his day he can rip this League to pieces. He is, in my opinion, more talented than Welbeck and Carroll.”

Poor attitude?

As you will see from the PNE online forum thread – some have questioned his attitude while others have nothing but praise.

I’ve read elsewhere that our Lukas has impressed PNE boss Alex Neil for looking comfortable with both feet, for his first touch and passing ability.

His attributes have earned the club a penalty in both the 3-3 draw away at Aston Villa and a home win against Wigan Athletic.

Following the draw, at Villa, the PNE praised Nmecha to the hilt.

“It was, without doubt, his best display for us,” said Neil. “Lukas has been wanting to play and to be involved, but in my eyes, he hadn’t done enough up to this point.

“We gave him his chance, and I thought he was excellent. His movement was good; he was powerful, he played with intent and looked to me like he wanted to prove a point, whereas I felt in some of his previous games he just looked happy to be here.”

Having represented England at all youth levels the spell at Preston will undoubtedly strengthen his character.

Will he return a better player?

The answer has to be an outstanding ‘yes.’ However, can he impress Pep Guardiola enough to pick him for next seasons City squad?

His MCFC contract currently expires in 2021.

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